So there were two teams yesterday who were all out. First was the striking (bastard) tube (fucking) drivers, and the second were the Aussie cricketers. The only difference was that the tube strikers at least took a whole day. Neither group had any sympathy from anyone (British).

Cricket lacks excitement, so people say. And normally I agree. Which is why I like to ‘watch’ my cricket by studying the numbers the next day. Because cricket is the most numerically obsessed sport in the world, with the possible exception of baseball. Though yesterday, it was arguably quicker and easier to watch the Australian first innings in its entirety, which took all of 90 minutes (of a 5-day match; for those who can barely comprehend such a concept; ie those from the Americas) than to churn up the numbers.

93 minutes, to be precise. 10 wickets taken, total of 60 runs. The lowest since the evolution of mankind. The most pathetic score by supposedly able-bodied people in any test match other than those involving the national team of Vatican State. It lasted but 18.3 overs. Less than you get in a 20-20.

Stuart Broad was our star. He bowled like a man possessed. 8 wickets for 15 runs. Quite amazing. Not a total record, but it ain’t bad. In fact it was quite brilliant.

I read with interest Shane Warne’s column in the paper on Wednesday saying how England won’t win the ashes. But this really isn’t about ‘told-ya-so’s’, nor about poor predictions based on nothing more substantial than a biased standpoint. No. This is about the abject humiliation of a cricket team and, consequently, of a nation. And much as I’d love to feel sorry for them…

Sorry, not gonna happen.

Nor do I feel sorry for the tube strikers. The only significant changes from last months’ strike were that now its holiday time, which makes it all a bit easier with no school traffic and loads of commuters away for summer hols. And also that public support for the strikers is rapidly waining to the point where we fucking hate those bastards. The Union chiefs more than the drivers who really get no choice once the strike is called and all lose a day’s money as a consequence. Though they can well afford that. Which is part of the reason support for them has lessened. Because they earn more than most of the commuters. And certainly get more paid holidays. And with every strike we learn more details until the consensus changes from understanding to the perception of total greed and the Union’s lust for power coupled with total disregard for the general public.

Gotta go watch some cricket, study some numbers,

Happy Friday

A xxxx